Geographically independent determination of segment boundaries within a video stream

ABSTRACT

A method for creating an announcement stream for a geographic region is provided. The method receives, at a designated computer system, characterizing metadata for a first audio/video stream; analyzes a second audio/video stream to obtain characterizing metadata for the second video stream; compares, with the computer system, the characterizing metadata for the first video stream to the characterizing metadata for the second video stream to generate offset data ; and calculates timing information corresponding to segment boundaries for the second video stream using the offset data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. divisional patent applicationSer. No. 15/010,163, filed Jan. 29, 2016, which claims the benefit ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/032,543, filed Sep. 20, 2013, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,277,251, which claims the benefit of United Statesprovisional patent application Ser. No. 61/788,294, filed Mar. 15, 2013.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate generally tothe processing of video content. More particularly, embodiments of thesubject matter relate to the determination of segment boundaries withina video stream in a specific Designated Market Area (DMA).

BACKGROUND

Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and personal video recorders (PVRs) allowviewers to record video in a digital format to a disk drive or othertype of storage medium for later playback. DVRs are often incorporatedinto set-top boxes for satellite and cable television services. Atelevision program stored on a set-top box allows a viewer to performtime shifting functions, and may additionally allow a viewer to skipover commercial breaks and other portions of the recording that theviewer does not desire to watch. However, the user performs thisfunction manually, for example, using a fast forward button of a remotecontrol associated with the DVR. This manual fast forwarding is aninconvenience for the user. Further, manual fast forwarding by a useroften leads to inaccurate results, because the user may fast forwardpast portions of the recording they desire to watch, or may resumeplayback during the portion of the recording that they want to skipover.

A number of techniques for automatically skipping over commercial breakshave been investigated and developed. One known technique relies onmarkers or tags embedded within the video stream data itself. Otherapproaches rely on closed captioning data to identify segment boundariesof interest. Such conventional techniques, however, may not be suitablefor deployment across multiple time zones and across multiple DMAs,because closed captioning timing may vary from one DMA to another,because the commercials may differ from one DMA to another, because thetiming of commercial breaks may differ from one time zone to another.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments provide a method for creating an announcement streamfor a geographic region. The method receives, at a designated computersystem, characterizing metadata for a first audio/video stream; analyzesa second audio/video stream to obtain characterizing metadata for thesecond video stream; compares, with the computer system, thecharacterizing metadata for the first video stream to the characterizingmetadata for the second video stream to generate offset data; andcalculates timing information corresponding to segment boundaries forthe second video stream using the offset data.

Some embodiments provide a system for processing video stream data. Thesystem includes a communication module, configured to receivecharacterizing metadata for a first video stream; and a processorarchitecture coupled to the communication module. The processorarchitecture includes a video stream analysis module, configured toanalyze a second video stream to obtain characterizing metadata for thesecond video stream; and a comparison module, configured to compare thecharacterizing metadata for the first video stream to the characterizingmetadata for the second video stream to generate offset data; whereinthe video stream analysis module is further configured to calculatetiming information corresponding to segment boundaries for the secondvideo stream using the offset data.

Some embodiments provide a system for processing video stream data. Thesystem includes a marking station, configured to parse a reference videostream and to store data for the reference video stream, wherein thereference video stream comprises a plurality of video frames; and acomparison station, configured to receive reference video stream data,parse and store data for a video stream of interest, compare thereference video stream data to data for the video stream of interest,determine a plurality of segment boundaries for the video stream ofinterest based upon the comparison, and transmit announcement datacomprising at least the determined plurality of segment boundaries to aplurality of video services receivers.

Some embodiments provide a method for processing video stream data. Themethod receives, at a computer system having a processor, a firstwaveform depicting data comprising average luminance values for each ofa plurality of video frames contained within a first video stream;calculates, at the computer system, average luminance values for each ofa plurality of video frames contained within a second video stream;generates a second waveform, corresponding to the second video stream,using the calculated average luminance values; obtains offset data bycomparing the first waveform to the second waveform; and generatestiming information regarding the beginning and ending of at least oneportion of the video stream using the offset data.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the subject matter may be derived byreferring to the detailed description and claims when considered inconjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference numbersrefer to similar elements throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a videoservices system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a videobroadcast region;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram representation of an embodiment of amarking station suitable for use in the system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram representation of an embodiment of acomparison station suitable for use in the system shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an exemplary video stream havinga plurality of segments;

FIG. 6 depicts two plots of average luminance values per video frameversus time, for a video stream broadcast in two different videobroadcast regions;

FIG. 7 is a schematic timeline representation of two video streams withmarkings depicting offset;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart that illustrates an embodiment of a method fordetermining timing information for a video stream;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart that illustrates an embodiment of aluminance-based method for comparing video frames;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart that illustrates another embodiment of aluminance-based method for comparing video frames; and

FIGS. 11-13 depict four plots of average luminance values per videoframe versus time, for a reference video stream and two iterations oftime-value adjustment for a video stream of interest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature andis not intended to limit the embodiments of the subject matter or theapplication and uses of such embodiments. As used herein, the word“exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.”Any implementation described herein as exemplary is not necessarily tobe construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background,brief summary or the following

Detailed Description

The subject matter presented herein relates to methods used by a videoprocessing system, within a video broadcast region, to determine timinginformation generally associated with segment boundaries or othersignificant events in a video stream. In some embodiments,characterizing metadata of a reference video stream is received at adesignated computer system within a video broadcast region, and is thencompared to characterizing metadata of a video stream of interest. Avideo segment match is located based on the comparison, and new timingvalues, corresponding to video segment boundaries, are determined forthe video stream of interest. The approach described herein comparesaverage luminance values for individual video frames to determine wherecommercial breaks (and/or any designated segments of the video stream)are located within a stream of video broadcast content.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic representation ofan embodiment of a video services system 100 that is suitably configuredto support the techniques for identifying video segment boundariesdescribed in more detail herein. The video services system 100 mayutilize any data communication methodology, including, withoutlimitation: satellite-based data delivery, cable-based data delivery,cellular-based data delivery, web-based delivery, or a combinationthereof. In this regard, the system 100 may include or utilize a datacommunication network 106, as depicted in FIG. 1. The specific detailsof such delivery systems and related data communication protocols willnot be described here.

In practice, the data communication network 106 may be any digital orother communications network capable of transmitting messages or databetween devices, systems, or components. In certain embodiments, thedata communication network 106 includes a packet switched network thatfacilitates packet-based data communication, addressing, and datarouting. The packet switched network could be, for example, a wide areanetwork, the Internet, or the like. In various embodiments, the datacommunication network 106 includes any number of public or private dataconnections, links or network connections supporting any number ofcommunications protocols. The data communication network 106 may includethe Internet, for example, or any other network based upon TCP/IP orother conventional protocols. In various embodiments, the datacommunication network 106 could also incorporate a wireless and/or wiredtelephone network, such as a cellular communications network forcommunicating with mobile phones, personal digital assistants, and/orthe like. The data communication network 106 may also incorporate anysort of wireless or wired local and/or personal area networks, such asone or more IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.16, and/or IEEE 802.11 networks, and/ornetworks that implement a short range (e.g., Bluetooth) protocol. Forthe sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to video/mediacommunication systems, video/media broadcasting systems, datatransmission, signaling, network control, and other functional aspectsof the systems (and the individual operating components of the systems)may not be described in detail herein.

The video services system 100 (which has been simplified for purposes ofillustration) generally includes, without limitation: at least one videocontent source 102, at least one marking station 104, a datacommunication network 106, and a plurality of video broadcast regions108. The video broadcast regions 108 communicate with the markingstation 104 and/or the video content source 102 via a data communicationnetwork 106. Although FIG. 1 only depicts four video broadcast regions108, it should be appreciated that the video services system 100 maysupport any number of video broadcast regions 108, and that a typicalvideo broadcast region 108 may comprise a Designated Market Area (DMA).A DMA is a geographic region in which the public may receive the sametelevision broadcast offerings, and its boundaries are typically definedby the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Currently, there are 212existing DMAs in the United States, but the number in existence mayvary. Within the scope of this application it is necessary that there beat least two video broadcast regions 108 in existence.

Variances may be introduced into the video broadcast content when thesame program content is aired in different video broadcast regions 108.For example, each video broadcast region 108 may broadcast advertisingcontent that is relevant to a local audience, which can create acommercial break that may be longer or shorter in duration than that ofa reference video stream 103. Additional variances may include increasedor decreased numbers of segment boundaries within video broadcastcontent, differing numbers and/or duration of “black-frame” periodsthroughout the video broadcast content, “breaking” news cut-ins withinthe video broadcast content, preempted portions of video broadcastcontent (e.g., by a local sports team, etc.), delayed start times,varying screen overlays in different markets, and the like.

For simplicity and ease of illustration, FIG. 1 and this descriptionassume that only one marking station 104 is deployed in the system 100,and that only one video content source 102 communicates with the markingstation 104. It should be understood that an embodiment of the system100 may include or support any number of marking stations 104 and anynumber of video content sources 102. The video content source 102 isimplemented as a physically distinct and remote device or systemrelative to the marking station 104. Moreover, a physically distinctvideo content source 102 may communicate with the marking station 104directly or via the data communication network 106 if so desired. Incertain embodiments, the video content source 102 communicates with themarking station 104 using an off-air video broadcast, cable televisionnetwork, satellite television network, or the like. The video contentsource 102 provides media content (such as audio/video programming,advertising content, music programming, and other video or audiovisualcontent) to each video broadcast region 108 and the marking station 104,which in turn provides output 105 to the video broadcast regions 108 asneeded. The marking station 104 operates in parallel with the normalvideo delivery system.

The marking station 104 may be implemented as one or more computer-baseddevices, components, or systems. The marking station 104 receives videocontent 103 from the video content source 102 for processing. The videocontent 103 that is processed by the marking station 104 may be referredto herein as a “reference” video stream, “reference” video content, orthe like. The marking station 104 processes the video content 103 toidentify and/or extract information regarding the stream of videocontent 103. For example, the marking station 104 analyzes the stream ofvideo content 103 to obtain characterizing metadata regarding the streamof video content 103. In some embodiments, the characterizing metadatacomprises average luminance values for each frame within the stream ofvideo content 103. In some embodiments, the characterizing metadatacomprises timing information associated with each individual framewithin the stream of video content 103, wherein the timing informationmay be associated with Presentation Time Stamp (PTS) values, ProgramClock Reference (PCR) values, or the like. In yet other embodiments, thecharacterizing metadata may include, without limitation, audio data,Closed Captioning data, and/or color space information.

The marking station 104 “marks” segment boundaries within a stream ofvideo content 103. The action of “marking” the segment boundaries maycomprise creating a notation on an individual video frame within thestream of video content 103, and/or recording additional characterizingmetadata regarding the stream of video content 103 comprising timinginformation used to delineate commercial segments, individualcommercials, sporting events (such as touchdowns, goals, homeruns, leadchanges, etc.), product placement opportunities, and the like.

The marking station 104 may be manually operated, using human input, ormay be operated using specialized computer hardware, software, or othertechnology to determine and/or record segment boundaries and timinginformation associated with those segment boundaries. The markingstation 104 produces output 105, comprising the characterizing metadatafor the stream of video content 103, and communicates this output 105 toone or more video broadcast regions 108 for localized use.

The marking station 104 may be located in a specific video broadcastregion, in which video content is broadcast according to the DesignatedMarket Area (DMA). The DMA within this specific video broadcast regiondiffers from the DMAs of at least some of the remaining video broadcastregions. In an exemplary embodiment, video broadcast content within areference video stream 103 and at least one other video broadcast regionincludes the same programming content (i.e., the same television show,movie, and/or presentation is aired in more than one video broadcastregion). Varying segments within video broadcast content, due todiffering local versus national advertising content, differing lengthsof “black-frame” periods within video broadcast content, a differingnumber and/or duration of breaks in the video broadcast content, etc.,create a situation in which the video broadcast content within areference video stream 103 may not be exactly identical to the videobroadcast content in other video streams that are broadcast in othervideo broadcast regions 108. In some embodiments, the marking station104 should be located in a video broadcast region 108 that resides inthe “earliest” possible time zone, enabling the marking station 104 tocomplete the process of marking the reference video stream 103 beforethe video broadcast content may be broadcast, recorded, and played backin any other video broadcast region 108. In some embodiments within thecontinental United States, the marking station resides in the EasternStandard Time (EST) zone, in which video broadcast content is airedbefore the Mountain and Pacific Standard Time zones.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a videobroadcast region 200. Each video broadcast region 108 depicted in FIG. 1may be configured as described here for the video broadcast region 200.The video broadcast region 200 generally includes, without limitation, avideo content source 102, a comparison station 206, video servicesreceivers 212, and presentation devices 216.

The video content source 102 provides a video stream of interest 204 tothe comparison station 206. The video content source 102 may beimplemented as a single a communications media source, for example. Thevideo content source 102 was described in detail above. This descriptionalso applies to the video content source 102 in FIG. 2, and will not berepeated here.

The video stream of interest 204 represents the actual video broadcastcontent as generated and provided within the video broadcast region 200.Due to the existence of a plurality of video broadcast regions 200,there will be a plurality of video streams of interest 204 for a givenpiece of programming content such as a network television show, and eachvideo stream of interest 204 may be unique to its video broadcast region200.

In some embodiments, the video stream of interest 204 includes asequence of video frames with associated timing information, formattedin accordance with the Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) standard.Within a video stream of interest 204, each frame will be rendered in away that allows the system to calculate average luminance values perframe using associated pixels, light intensity, etc. In someembodiments, timing information for each video frame may comprise aPresentation Time Stamp (PTS) value. A PTS is a reference timing valuethat is generally included in packet media streams (digital audio, videoor data), according to the MPEG standard. PTS values are used to controlthe presentation time alignment of such media, through synchronizationof separate components within a video content stream (e.g., video,audio, subtitles, etc.). In other embodiments, timing information foreach video frame may comprise a Program Clock Reference (PCR) value. Asused in association with compressed digital video, a PCR value consistsof a time stamp that indicates an associated System Time Clock (STC)value at the time a packet leaves an encoder. Alternatively, an accurateTime of Day clock may be used.

The video stream of interest 204 contains at least a portion of videobroadcast content in common with a reference video stream 103, but maydiffer from the reference video stream 103 as shown in FIG. 1, in one ormore ways. In some embodiments, the video stream of interest 204includes a time-shifted version of the video broadcast content that iscontained within the reference video stream 103. In some embodiments,the video stream of interest 204 includes one or more segment boundariesthat differ from the segment boundaries within the reference videostream 103 in their timing information. In some embodiments, the videostream of interest 204 includes longer and/or shorter durations of timebetween segment boundaries. In some embodiments, the video stream ofinterest 204 includes fewer or additional segment boundaries than thevideo broadcast content within the reference video stream 103.

The comparison station 206 may be implemented as one or morecomputer-based devices, components, or systems. The comparison station206 receives reference video stream metadata 105, in addition to thevideo stream of interest 204 communicated by the video content source102. The reference video stream metadata 105 corresponds to the output105 of the marking station of FIG. 1. The comparison station 206processes the video stream of interest 204 and the reference videostream metadata 105 (in the manner described in more detail below) togenerate an output corresponding to the video stream of interest 204.

The output of the comparison station 206 includes timing information 210for the video stream of interest 204. The timing information 210 for thevideo stream of interest 204 may include timing data for each individualvideo frame within the video stream of interest 204 and/or timing datacorresponding to the segment boundaries within the video stream ofinterest 204. In exemplary embodiments, the timing information 210 forthe video stream of interest 204 includes timing data corresponding tosegment boundaries within the video stream of interest 204. Componentsof the characterizing metadata of the video stream of interest 204 aresimilar to the components of the characterizing metadata of thereference video stream. Characterizing metadata for the video stream ofinterest 204 may include PTS or PCR values representing individual videoframes and/or segment boundaries within the video stream of interest204.

The comparison station 206 provides the timing information 210 to one ormore video services receivers 212. Although FIG. 2 depicts only twovideo services receivers 212, it should be appreciated that the videobroadcast region 200 may support any number of video services receivers,and that a typical video broadcast region 200 may include video servicesreceivers 212 that are geographically distributed throughout a largearea, such as a city, a county, a region, or the like.

The video services receivers 212 communicate with the comparison station206 via a data communication network 207. It should be appreciated thatthe video content source 102 may be realized as a physically distinctand remote device relative to the comparison station 206. Moreover, aphysically distinct video content source 102 may communicate with thecomparison station 206 via the data communication network 207 if sodesired. The video content source 102 provides media content (discussedabove with regard to FIG. 1) to the comparison station 206, which inturn provides timing information 210 to the video services receivers 212as needed. For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related tovideo/media communication systems, video/media broadcasting systems,data transmission, signaling, network control, and other functionalaspects of the systems (and the individual operating components of thesystems) may not be described in detail herein.

In addition to the timing information 210, the video services receivers212 also receive the video stream of interest 204, which represents theactual video broadcast content as generated and provided within thevideo broadcast region 200, as described previously. The video stream ofinterest 204 is communicated from the video content source 102 to aplurality of video services receivers 212 via the data communicationnetwork 207, fiber, internet, wireless, or cellular networks, and/oroff-air, satellite, or cable broadcasts. Video services receivers 212are configured to record received video broadcast content, and maycomprise Digital Video Recorder (DVR) technology. Thus, the videoservices receivers 212 can record one or more video streams of interest204, receive timing information 210 from the comparison station 206, andthereafter apply the timing information 210 to the recorded video streamof interest 204 to accurately identify segment boundaries.

Each video services receiver 212 produces output that is communicated toa presentation device 216. Each video services receiver 212 may includeor cooperate with a suitably configured presentation device 216. Thepresentation device 216 may be, without limitation: a television set; amonitor; a computer display; a portable electronic device; or anysuitable customer appliance with compatible display capabilities. Invarious embodiments, each video services receiver 212 is a conventionalset-top box commonly used with satellite or cable televisiondistribution systems. In other embodiments, however, the functionalityof a video services receiver 212 may be commonly housed within apresentation device. In still other embodiments, a video servicesreceiver 212 is a portable device that may be transportable with orwithout the presentation device 216. A video services receiver 212 mayalso be suitably configured to support broadcast television reception,video game playing, personal video recording and/or other features asdesired.

During typical operation, the video services receivers 212 receive thevideo stream of interest 204 (such as primary program contentinterspersed with segments of secondary content, commercials, and/ortargeted advertising), signaling information, and/or other data via thedata communication network 207, fiber, internet, wireless, or cellularnetworks, and/or off-air, satellite, or cable broadcasts. The videoservices receivers 212 then demodulate, descramble, decompress, and/orotherwise process the received digital data, and then convert thereceived data to suitably formatted video signals that can be renderedfor viewing, and/or stored for future viewing, by the customer on thepresentation devices.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram representation of an embodiment of amarking station 300, which is suitable for use in the system 100 shownin FIG. 1. The marking station 300 can be realized as a computer-basedcomponent or system. The illustrated embodiment of the marking station300 generally includes, without limitation: a processor architecture302, a video stream analysis module 304, an output generator 306, atleast one memory element 308, a user interface (UI) 310, and acommunication module 312. These components and elements may be coupledtogether as needed for purposes of interaction and communication using,for example, an appropriate interconnect arrangement or architecture.

It should be appreciated that the marking station 300 represents a “fullfeatured” embodiment that supports various features described herein. Inpractice, an implementation of the marking station 300 need not supportall of the enhanced features described here and, therefore, one or moreof the elements depicted in FIG. 3 may be omitted from a practicalembodiment. Moreover, a practical implementation of the marking station300 will include additional elements and features that supportconventional functions and operations.

The processor architecture 302 may be implemented or performed with oneor more general purpose processors, a content addressable memory, adigital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, afield programmable gate array, any suitable programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination designed to perform the functions described here. Inparticular, the processor architecture 302 may be realized as one ormore microprocessors, controllers, microcontrollers, or state machines.Moreover, the processor architecture 302 may be implemented as acombination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of digital signalprocessors and microprocessors, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a digital signal processorcore, or any other such configuration.

The video stream analysis module 304 is suitably configured to performanalysis of a video stream as a whole and/or each individual frame ofvideo contained within a video stream. In some embodiments, thisanalysis is performed to determine segment boundaries within a referencevideo stream 103, as depicted in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, theanalysis may be performed to determine the number of segment boundaries,timing information for each individual segment boundary, and/or averageluminance values for each individual frame of video contained within avideo stream. Data obtained from a reference video stream 103 may bereferred to as reference video stream metadata 105, depicted in FIG. 2.

The output generator 306 is suitably configured to receive and formatdata obtained by the video stream analysis module 304. In someembodiments, the data is formatted into an output stream suitable fortransmission to one or more comparison stations located in one or morevideo broadcast regions. The output stream, therefore, conveys thereference video stream metadata in an appropriate format that can bereceived and processed by the comparison stations.

The memory element 308 may be realized using any number of devices,components, or modules, as appropriate to the embodiment. Moreover, themarking station 300 could include a memory element 308 integratedtherein and/or a memory element 308 operatively coupled thereto, asappropriate to the particular embodiment. In practice, the memoryelement 308 could be realized as RAM memory, flash memory, EPROM memory,EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, or any otherform of storage medium known in the art. In certain embodiments, thememory element 308 includes a hard disk, which may also be used tosupport functions of the marking station 300. The memory element 308 canbe coupled to the processor architecture 302 such that the processorarchitecture 302 can read information from, and write information to,the memory element 308. In the alternative, the memory element 308 maybe integral to the processor architecture 302. As an example, theprocessor architecture 302 and the memory element 308 may reside in asuitably designed ASIC.

The memory element 308 can be used to store and maintain information foruse by the marking station 300. For example, the memory element 308 maybe used to store recorded content such as broadcast program events and alibrary of downloaded advertisements or commercials. The memory element308 may also be utilized to store data concerning the reference videostream, which may include data detailing marked segment boundaries, orother timing information of interest, within the reference video stream.Of course, the memory element 308 may also be used to store additionaldata as needed to support the operation of the marking station 300.

The user interface 310 may include or cooperate with various features toallow a user to interact with the marking station 300. Accordingly, theuser interface 310 may include various human-to-machine interfaces,e.g., a keypad, keys, a keyboard, buttons, switches, knobs, a touchpad,a joystick, a pointing device, a virtual writing tablet, a touch screen,a microphone, or any device, component, or function that enables theuser to select options, input information, or otherwise control theoperation of the marking station 300. For example, the user interface310 could be manipulated by an operator to mark the boundaries ortransitions between segments of a video stream, as described above.

The communication module 312 is suitably configured to receive andperform processing on signals received by the marking station 300 and totransmit signals from the marking station 300. The communication module312 is used to communicate data between the marking station 300 and oneor more comparison stations (see, for example, FIG. 2). As described inmore detail below, data received by the communication module 312 mayinclude, without limitation: metadata associated with reference videostreams, such as average luminance values for video frames and/orsegments and timing information for video segment boundaries, and thelike. Data provided by the communication module 312 may include, withoutlimitation: timing data corresponding to individual video frames, datacorresponding to segment boundaries, and/or average luminance values forindividual video frames within a reference video stream. Thecommunication module 312 may leverage conventional design concepts thatneed not be described in detail here.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram representation of an embodiment of acomparison station 400, which is suitable for use in the system shown inFIG. 2. The comparison station 400 can be realized as a computer-basedcomponent or system. The illustrated embodiment of the comparisonstation 400 generally includes, without limitation: a processorarchitecture 402, a video stream analysis module 404, a comparisonmodule 414, an output generator 406, a memory element 408, a userinterface 410, and a communication module 412.

In some embodiments, a comparison is performed at the comparison station400, which is configured to receive reference video stream data, parseand store data for a video stream of interest, compare the referencevideo stream data to data for the video stream of interest, determine aplurality of segment boundaries for the video stream of interest basedupon the comparison, and to transmit announcement data comprising atleast the determined plurality of segment boundaries to a plurality ofvideo service receivers. Additionally, the comparison station may beconfigured to determine timing information for one or more in-videoadvertising placement opportunities, and transmitting this timinginformation to a plurality of video services receivers.

The processor architecture 402, the video stream analysis module 404,the memory element 408, the user interface 410, the communication module412, and the output generator 406 are similar in configuration andfunction to their counterpart items described above in the context ofthe marking station 300. Accordingly, common features and operations ofthese elements of the comparison station 400 will not be redundantlydescribed here. However, in some embodiments, the type of informationand the format of the data provided by the output generator 406 aredifferent than that provided by the marking station 300. For example,the output of the comparison station 400 may include an announcementstream containing characterizing metadata for the video stream ofinterest.

The comparison module 414 is suitably configured to compare referencevideo stream metadata that has been received by the comparison station400 with a video stream of interest to generate an announcement streamincluding timing information for use by the video services receivers inthe respective video broadcast region. In this context, the outputgenerator 406 cooperates with the comparison module 414 to generate theoutput announcement stream that conveys the desired timing informationthat identifies the segment boundaries of the video stream of interest.

The communication module 412 of the comparison station 400 is suitablyconfigured to receive and perform processing on signals received by thecomparison station 400 and to transmit signals from the comparisonstation 400. The communication module 412 is used to communicate databetween the comparison station 400 and one or more video servicesreceivers (see, for example, FIG. 2). As described in more detail below,data received by the communication module 412 may include, withoutlimitation: media content, such as a video stream of interest, referencevideo stream metadata, etc.; user commands associated with the operationof the comparison station 400; data related to the use of video servicesreceivers and/or a marking station in the system; or the like. Dataprovided by the communication module 412 may include, withoutlimitation: timing data corresponding to individual video frames, timingdata corresponding to segment boundaries, average luminance values forindividual video frames within a video stream of interest, anannouncement stream consisting of relevant timing data associated withspecific video broadcast content. The communication module 412 mayleverage conventional design concepts that need not be described indetail here.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a portion of a video stream 500.The video stream 500 may include any number of video segments, which maybe defined or designated in any desired way. The simplified exampledepicted in FIG. 5 includes video segments 502 separated by interstitialcontent segments 506 (e.g., advertisements, commercial content, or thelike). As another example, a video stream could be arbitrarily separatedinto any number of segments in the absence of any interstitial content.In this regard, a commercial-free program could be segmented into anynumber of chapters, parts, or sections. For ease of description, FIG. 5depicts segment boundary marks 504 that represent the boundary ortransition between two adjacent segments.

Each video segment 502 generally includes a plurality of individualvideo frames 503 containing video content. Each individual video frame503 is associated with an average luminance value, a Program ClockReference (PCR) value, a Presentation Time Stamp (PTS) value, and othercharacterizing metadata. Each video frame may be defined by, or isotherwise associated with a plurality of pixels, and the brightness ofindividual pixels may be described using luminance values. In someembodiments, the average luminance value of a particular video frame maybe determined using un-compressed pixel data provided by High-DefinitionMultimedia Interface (HDMI) technology. For example, designated hardwarewithin the video broadcast region extracts the luminance values of eachpixel within a video frame directly from the HDMI data, sums theluminance values, and disregards the lower order bits of the summedvalue, effectively performing a mathematical division operation. Theremaining bits provide a representation of average luminance for anindividual video frame. In other embodiments, Serial Digital Interface(SDI) technology, High Definition Serial Data Interface (HD-SDI)technology, and/or a CCIR656 Standard Definition digital representationof analog broadcasts, is used to obtain the average luminance values ofindividual video frames. In other embodiments, luminance values may bedirectly calculated from an MPEG stream, or its decoded frames in abuffer. In addition, a sum of the luminance values may be used forfurther calculation and comparison without performing an average, aslong as the reference video stream and the video stream of interest havethe same resolution.

The segment boundary marks 504 are indications that a video segment 502has ended or will begin at the point where the segment boundary mark 504is placed. In some embodiments, segment boundary marks 504 may be placedmanually, by a human operator. This “manual” marking may include anactual notation within the video stream 500 itself, or may include aseparate recording of information relevant to the characterizingmetadata associated with the placement of the segment boundary mark 504.

Video segments 502 are generally separated by advertising content 506.Similar to video segments 502, advertising content 506 is realized withindividual video frames 503 with their associated characterizingmetadata.

FIG. 6 depicts two plots of average luminance values per frame versustime. The graph 600 depicts a representation of average luminance valuesfor a reference video stream 602, and a representation of averageluminance values for a corresponding video stream of interest 604. Alsorepresented within the graph 600 are segment boundaries 606, 608, 610,614, 616. Segment boundary 606 marks the end of a time period 603containing a video segment 605. This segment boundary 606 also marks thebeginning of a commercial break 619 in the reference video stream 602.The commercial break 619 corresponds to a time period 607 associatedwith the reference video stream 602. Segment boundary 608 marks the endof the time period 607 for the commercial break 619. Accordingly, asection of the reference video stream 602 corresponds to commercial oradvertising content that appears during the time period 607. The end ofthis advertising content is unique to the reference video stream 602,and, therefore, the segment boundary 608 does not apply to the videostream of interest 604. Rather, the video stream of interest 604includes a different segment boundary 610, which marks the end of itsown advertising content 622, which may differ, wholly or partially, fromthe commercial break 619 content associated with the reference videostream 602. In this regard, FIG. 6 depicts a section of the video streamof interest 604 that corresponds to the commercial or advertisingcontent that appears during the time period 609. Note that the timeperiod 609 is longer than the time period 607.

The time period 611 for the reference video stream 602 follows thesegment boundary 608. For this example, the time period 611 correspondsto a time during which a second video segment 624 a is presented in thereference video stream 602. In this regard, the second video segment 624a follows the commercial break 619. Likewise, the time period 612 forthe video stream of interest 604 follows the segment boundary 610. Thetime period 612 corresponds to a time during which the second videosegment 624 b is presented in the video stream of interest 604. Thus,the second video segment 624 b follows the advertising content 622. Itshould be appreciated that the second video segments 624 a, 624 b areequivalent to one another, but offset in time due to the differentlengths of the commercial breaks. Accordingly, if the time offset isconsidered, then the average luminance values for the second videosegment 624 a are theoretically equal to the average luminance valuesfor the second video segment 624 b.

Because the advertising content ends at different times for thereference video stream 602 and the video stream of interest 604, thewaveforms are not identical throughout the duration of the time periodillustrated. However, as shown, the waveforms are identical within thetime period 603, and are identical within the time periods 611, 612. Thedifferences in the waveforms appear during the time periods 607, 609containing the advertising content, or commercial breaks within thevideo streams. In other words, following the commercial breaks, segmentboundaries 608, 610 mark the beginning of identical waveform sections,illustrating a timing offset from segment boundary 608 to segmentboundary 610.

FIG. 7 is a schematic timeline representation of two video streams withmarkings depicting a timing offset for commercial breaks within videobroadcast content. The timeline representation 700 depicts two separatevideo streams 702, 704. Both video streams 702, 704 contain the sameinitial video segments, as described above with reference to FIG. 5 andFIG. 6, but contain advertising content that is unique to each of thevideo streams 702, 704 and are broadcast in two separate time zones.

A reference video stream 702 is illustrated, along with a video streamof interest 704. The reference video stream 702 is broadcast at 6 pmEastern Standard Time (EST), while the video stream of interest 704 isbroadcast at 9 pm EST (or 6 pm Pacific Standard Time (PST)). Thetimeline representation 700 contains markings at various points in time.The first set of markings 706, 708 mark the beginning of the first videosegments 707, 709. The rest of the markings on the timeline representsegment boundaries in the video streams 702, 704, or the points in timewhen the video segments begin or end immediately preceding or followingadvertising content.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second set of markings 710, 716 for both videostreams 702, 704 align in time, the marking on the reference videostream 702 occurring at 6:07 pm EST and the marking on the video streamof interest occurring at 6:07 pm PST. The third set of markings 712, 718are not aligned in time. As shown, the third marking 712 in thereference video stream 702 occurs at a point in time approximately oneminute prior to the occurrence of the third marking 718 in the videostream of interest 704. This is due to the timing offset created by alonger commercial break 720 in the video stream of interest 704. In thisparticular example, the reference video stream 702 commercial break 714has a duration of approximately two minutes, whereas the video stream ofinterest 704 commercial break 720 has a duration of approximately threeminutes. In this example, this creates a one-minute offset to thebeginning of the second segment 721 of video broadcast content withinthe video stream of interest 704. The second segment 713 of videobroadcast content within the reference video stream 702 begins atapproximately 6:09 pm EST, while the second segment 721 of videobroadcast content within the video stream of interest 704 begins atapproximately 6:10 pm PST, as shown.

The timing offset (one minute in this example) created by the varyingdurations of the first commercial breaks 714, 720 may or may not remainuniform throughout the rest of the video broadcast content. For example,the fourth set of markings 722, 728, which represent segment boundariesat the beginning of commercial breaks 726, 732, begin at different timesdue to the one-minute timing offset of video segments 713, 721 discussedabove. However, the second commercial breaks 726, 732 are also ofvarying durations, and this will alter the overall timing offset of thevideo broadcast content within the video streams 702, 704 again. In thisparticular example, the reference video stream 702 commercial break 726has a duration of approximately two minutes, whereas the video stream ofinterest 704 commercial break 732 has a duration of approximately oneminute. In this example, this eliminates the one-minute offset createdby the first commercial breaks 714, 720. The third segments 725, 733 ofvideo broadcast content within both video streams 702, 704 are alignedin time, the third segment of the reference video stream 702 beginningat approximately 6:15 pm EST, and the third segment of the video streamof interest 704 beginning at approximately 6:15 pm PST, as shown.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart that illustrates an embodiment of a method fordetermining timing information for a video stream. This method 800 isone suitable embodiment of a method for creating an announcement streamfor a designated market area. The various tasks performed in connectionwith a process described here may be performed by software, hardware,firmware, or any combination thereof. For illustrative purposes, thedescription of a process may refer to elements mentioned above inconnection with FIG. 1 through FIG. 7. In practice, portions of adescribed process may be performed by different elements of thedescribed system, e.g., the system firmware, logic within a markingstation, logic within a comparison station, or other logic in thesystem. It should be appreciated that a described process may includeany number of additional or alternative tasks, the tasks shown in thefigures need not be performed in the illustrated order, and that adescribed process may be incorporated into a more comprehensiveprocedure or process having additional functionality not described indetail herein. Moreover, one or more of the tasks shown in the figurescould be omitted from embodiments of a described process as long as theintended overall functionality remains intact.

In some embodiments, a marking station is configured to parse, storedata for, and transmit data from, a reference video stream, wherein thereference video stream comprises a plurality of video frames. Data forthe reference video stream may be referred to as reference streamanalytics, characterizing metadata, etc. In some embodiments, themarking station is further configured to associate timing informationwith average luminance values for a plurality of video frames.

For ease of description and clarity, this example assumes that themethod 800 begins when reference video stream analytics are received(step 804). Generally, the reference video stream analytics are receivedat a designated computer system (such as a comparison station aspreviously described) within a video broadcast region. In someembodiments, reference video stream analytics include or are representedby characterizing metadata for a reference stream. In some embodiments,reference video stream analytics may include discrete, individual datapoints (depicted as a waveform for ease of illustration) depictingcharacterizing metadata, which may be based upon average luminancevalues for each of a plurality of video frames contained within thereference video stream, timing information regarding individual videoframes and/or segment boundaries within the reference video stream, andthe like.

After receiving the reference video stream analytics (step 804),analysis of a video stream of interest is performed (step 806). Thevideo stream of interest is analyzed to obtain analytics, orcharacterizing metadata, that describes certain aspects of the videostream of interest. Similar to the characterizing metadata for thereference video stream, the characterizing metadata for the video streamof interest may be associated with average luminance values forindividual video frames, timing information regarding individual videoframes and/or segment boundaries within the video stream, etc. In someembodiments, average luminance values for each of a plurality of videoframes contained within a video stream of interest are calculated anddiscrete, individual data points (depicted as a second waveform, forease of illustration) are generated using the calculated luminancevalues.

Once reference video stream analytics have been received (step 804) andthe video stream of interest has been analyzed (step 806), the referencevideo stream analytics are then compared to the video stream of interestanalytics (step 808). In some embodiments, the comparison performedduring step 808 includes: (i) obtaining an absolute difference betweenthe average luminance values for each of the individual video frames ofthe reference video stream and each of the individual video frames forthe video stream of interest; (ii) summing the results (i.e., theabsolute difference values) for each of the individual video frames; and(iii) comparing the summed value to a predefined threshold value. Incertain embodiments, the summed value is then divided by the number ofindividual video frames in the plurality to obtain an average value, andthe average value is compared to the pre-determined threshold value.These processing steps may be performed in an iterative manner,beginning at any arbitrary timing reference between the two videostreams. If the summed value is not lower than the threshold value, thensome amount of timing offset is introduced between the two video streamsbefore the comparison is performed again. When the summed value (or, insome cases, the average value) is lower than the threshold value, themethod continues by generating offset data for the video stream ofinterest.

The predefined threshold value represents the amount of allowable errorbetween the average luminance values of the reference video stream andthe average luminance values of the video stream of interest. Ideally,when the individual video frame or plurality of video frames within areference video stream are compared to an individual video frame orplurality of video frames within a video stream of interest, the averageluminance values for each video stream would be the same. In otherwords, in an ideal situation, the difference value (or sum of differencevalues) obtained when the average luminance values of the referencevideo stream are compared to the average luminance values of the videostream of interest would all be equal to zero. When the averageluminance values are equal, or fall within a predefined, acceptablethreshold of maximum error, the video frame or plurality of video framessatisfies the criteria of a match.

When the difference value (or sum of difference values) does not fallwithin the predefined threshold of acceptable error, the video frame orplurality of video frames does not satisfy the criteria of a match, andthe method moves on to the next video frame or plurality of videoframes, within the video stream of interest, for evaluation. The nextvideo frame or plurality of video frames in the video stream of interestis then compared to the same video frame or plurality of video frameswithin the reference video stream that was used in the previouscomparison. In this example, the objective is to locate a “match” forthe section of the reference stream in question by evaluating differentsections of the video stream of interest until the “match” is found.

Comparing a reference video stream with a video stream of interest maybegin at a location within the video streams when both video streams areat their earliest point, i.e., the position in each video streamcorresponding to the beginning of the video broadcast content inquestion. In some embodiments, at least one of the video streams islonger in duration than the video broadcast content, and the earliestpoint in the video stream occurs before the actual beginning of thevideo broadcast content. In this example, the comparison may begin at anindividual video frame located at a new, earlier point in time than thebeginning of the video broadcast content contained within the relevantvideo stream.

As one example, a reference video stream includes four video segmentswith segment boundaries marking the beginning and ending points of eachvideo segment. The video segments are also separated by advertisingcontent contained within commercial breaks. A video stream of interestincludes the same four video segments, and segment boundaries which maydiffer due to different timing data. In this example, the timing data ofeach segment boundary may be unknown, including the segment boundary atthe beginning of the first video segment. In order to determine thetiming data for the segment boundary at the beginning of the first videosegment, the comparison of the two video streams may begin, within thevideo stream of interest, at a point earlier in time than the videobroadcast content begins within the reference video stream. The videostream of interest may contain video frames with timing data that isearlier in time than the beginning of the first video segment, and thecomparison of the reference video stream with the video stream ofinterest may determine the timing information of the first segmentboundary, at the beginning of the first video segment.

Comparing a reference video stream with a video stream of interest mayoccur in a forward direction, a reverse direction, or a combination ofthe two directions. In some embodiments, the comparing progresses in atime-forward direction, wherein the comparing in the time-forwarddirection comprises comparing individual video frames sequentially. Thecomparison begins with an individual video frame of both video streamsto be compared, comprising timing information that is early in time,progressing frame-by-frame from earlier timing information to latertiming information, and completing the comparing process with anindividual video frame comprising timing information that is late intime.

In some embodiments, the comparing progresses in a time-reversedirection, wherein the comparing in the time-reverse direction comprisescomparing individual video frames sequentially. The comparison beginswith an individual video frame of both video streams comprising timeinformation that is late in time, progressing frame-by-frame from latertiming information to earlier timing information, and completing thecomparing process with the individual video frame comprising timinginformation that is early in time.

The objective of the comparing step is to obtain a “match” between theaverage luminance values of individual video frames or a plurality ofvideo frames corresponding to a given segment of interest. Individualvideo frames or groups of video frames from the reference video streamare matched to individual video frames or groups of video frames fromthe video stream of interest. Once this “match” has been located,additional timing information may be read directly from the video streamof interest, using the “match” as a beginning reference point.

After the reference video stream analytics have been compared to thevideo stream of interest analytics (step 808), timing information forthe video stream of interest is obtained (step 810), and in someembodiments, recorded. In some embodiments, the recording of the timinginformation for the video stream of interest occurs within a memoryelement, wherein the memory element is coupled to a processorarchitecture. Timing information may include detail regarding segmentboundaries within the video stream of interest, detail regardingadvertising content timing and/or video frame timing locations, detailregarding individual video frames, etc.

In some embodiments, the step of obtaining timing information for thevideo stream of interest (step 810) occurs for a plurality of segmentswithin a video stream. In other embodiments, the obtaining step (step810) occurs at intervals throughout a video stream, wherein theintervals comprise equivalent lengths of time. In some embodiments,timing information is generated regarding the beginning and ending of atleast one portion of a video stream, using offset data. In practice,therefore, the timing information for the video stream of interest willindicate the boundaries between segments of video content, commercialbreaks, interstitial content, and the like, or the timing informationmay indicate appropriate timing, within a video stream, for productplacement advertising opportunities, as determined using theluminance-based approach presented herein.

In some embodiments, once the timing information for the video stream ofinterest has been obtained (step 810), this timing information istransmitted to a plurality of video services receivers. Thereafter, thevideo services receivers can utilize the timing information to quicklyand easily identify the segment boundaries during playback of a recordedversion of the video stream of interest. Identifying the boundaries maybe desirable to skip over commercial content, to reduce the volume ofspecified segments, to speed up playback of specified segments, todelete advertisements, to insert replacement video content between othervideo segments, etc. In certain embodiments, video services receiverscan utilize the timing information to identify points within a videostream where intelligent advertising, or product placementopportunities, occur. In other embodiments, video services receivers canutilize the timing information to identify segments that cannot beskipped or fast-forwarded.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart that illustrates one exemplary embodiment of thecomparing step 808 depicted in FIG. 8. This particular embodimentutilizes characterizing metadata, including average luminance values, toperform a frame-by-frame comparison between a reference video stream anda video stream of interest. As shown, the process 900 begins whenaverage luminance values for a frame within a reference video stream anda frame within a video stream of interest have been obtained, and adifference value between the two average luminance values is calculated(step 902).

In certain situations, the calculated difference value would be equal tozero, due to average luminance values for each of the two video streamsbeing the same. In such a scenario, the two video frames at issue wouldbe labeled a “match”. In other scenarios, when the average luminancevalues are not the same, the difference value must be less than or equalto a pre-determined threshold value to be labeled a “match”.Accordingly, the threshold value represents the amount of acceptableerror within the comparison process 900. If the difference value is notless than or equal to the threshold value (the “No” branch of 904), thenthe frames are not declared a “match”, and the method moves on to thenext frame in sequence (step 914) within the video stream of interest,and begins the comparing process again (step 916) using the same videoframe within the reference video stream as was used in the previouscomparison. Within the comparison step, the video frame in the referencevideo stream will remain the same, while the video frame within thevideo stream of interest will be varied until a “match” is located. Insome embodiments, the next frame in sequence within the video stream ofinterest, for comparison, is variable and may be changed by a systemoperator. In some embodiments, the method moves on to the next frame insequence in the video stream of interest, continuing the comparisonthroughout the video broadcast content until a match is found or the endof the video stream is reached. Further, in some embodiments, afterlocating an initial match, the process 900 may iterate through a definedportion of the video stream of interest, which may include the entirevideo stream of interest or any subset thereof, to seek out the “best”match.

Once the difference value between the two average luminance values iscalculated (step 902), the difference value is then compared to apre-determined threshold value (step 904). If the difference value isless than or equal to the threshold value (the “Yes” branch of 904), theprocess 900 designates a “match” (step 906). Next, the process 900determines whether the “matched” video frame is the last video framewithin a pre-defined sequence of video frames (step 908), and if so (the“Yes” branch of 908), the process 900 moves on to the step “obtaintiming information” 810 depicted in FIG. 8 (step 910). In certainembodiments, the pre-defined sequence of video frames is a segment of atelevision program. In other embodiments, however, the pre-definedsequence of video frames is a design decision, and may include any oneor more video frames, as determined by the designer. In someembodiments, the pre-defined sequence of video frames may include afirst plurality of video frames at the beginning of a segment and asecond plurality of video frames at the end of the same segment. In thiscase, when the first and second pluralities of video frames are analyzedfor differences in average luminance values, the video stream ofinterest is effectively sampled.

If the “matched” video frame is not the last video frame within apre-defined sequence of video frames (the “No” branch of 908), theprocess 900 moves to the next frame in the pre-defined sequence (step912) and returns to the beginning of the process 900 (step 902).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart that illustrates another exemplary embodiment ofthe comparing step 808 depicted in FIG. 8. This particular embodimentutilizes characterizing metadata, including average luminance values, toperform a comparison of multiple frames over a time interval, between areference video stream and a video stream of interest.

As shown in FIG. 10, two sets of average luminance values over aspecified time interval have been obtained, and difference valuesbetween the two sets of average luminance values is calculated (step1002). One set of average luminance values is for a plurality of videoframes within a reference video stream over the specified time interval,and the second set of average luminance values is for a plurality ofvideo frames within a video stream of interest over the specified timeinterval. An absolute value for each of the difference values iscalculated, and the absolute difference values are then summed to obtaina summed value (step 1004), and the summed value is compared to apre-determined threshold value (step 1006). In certain embodiments, thesummed value is then divided by the number of individual video frames inthe plurality to obtain an average value, and the average value iscompared to the pre-determined threshold value. If the summed value (or,in some cases, the average value) is less than or equal to thepre-determined threshold value, a “match” is declared, and the methodmoves on to the step “obtain timing information” 810, as depicted inFIG. 8 (step 1012). However, in some embodiments, after locating aninitial match, the process 1000 may iterate through a defined portion ofthe video stream of interest, which may include the entire video streamof interest or any subset thereof, to seek out the “best” match, beforemoving on to obtain timing information (step 1012).

In some situations, the calculated result would be equal to zero, due toaverage luminance values for each of the two video streams being thesame. Accordingly, the two video segments at issue would be labeled a“match”. In other scenarios, when the average luminance values are notthe same, the calculated result must be less than or equal to apre-determined threshold value to be labeled a “match”. In thisembodiment, the threshold value represents the amount of acceptableerror within the comparison process 1000.

If the absolute value of the difference value is not less than or equalto the threshold value, or in other words, close enough to zero, thenthe video frames over the specified interval of time are not declared a“match”, and the method moves on to the next set of frames within thevideo stream of interest, beginning at a specified point in time withinthe video stream of interest, sequentially (step 1008), and begins thecomparing process again (step 1010). In some embodiments, the next framein sequence within the video stream of interest, for comparison, isvariable and may be changed by a system operator. In some embodiments,the method moves on to the next frame in sequence within the videostream of interest, continuing the comparison throughout the videobroadcast content until a match is found or the end of the video streamis reached. In some embodiments, the method moves on to the next videoframe within the video stream of interest in a pre-defined time period.

In some embodiments, the specified time interval is equal to theduration of a segment of the broadcast video content contained within areference video stream. Once difference values are obtained for a firstsegment, they are summed to calculate a summed value for the firstsegment, and the comparison station 400, shown in FIG. 4, varies thestart time of a specified interval of time until a “match” is declared.This process is repeated for each segment within the video broadcastcontent of a reference video stream.

FIGS. 11-13 depict an exemplary embodiment of the comparing step 808depicted in FIG. 8. FIGS. 11-13 show four plots of average luminancevalues per video frame versus time, for a reference video stream andthree iterations of time-value adjustment for a video stream ofinterest.

FIG. 11 illustrates plot 1100, showing a reference video stream 1102having time duration 1112, and having segment boundaries at the originand at point 1103. Plot 1100 further illustrates a first iteration ofthe comparison step, showing a video stream of interest 1104 having timeduration 1112 and an initial segment boundary 1122 (the ending segmentboundary is not shown). As shown, the video stream of interest 1104 hasthe same time duration 1112 as the reference video stream 1102, butdifferent segment boundaries. In this example, the comparison occurs atthe origin, and the first iteration of the comparison step does notproduce the match that is the objective within the comparison step.

Plot 1100 further illustrates an absolute difference 1106 waveform,providing additional detail regarding the offset between the referencevideo stream 1102 and the video stream of interest 1104, and showingthis calculated difference at any point in the waveform. The average ofdifference 1108 is a flat line, showing the calculated average of theabsolute difference 1106 values within a segment of time. Also shown isthe pre-defined threshold 1110 for an acceptable difference value at anydiscrete point on the graph.

FIG. 12 illustrates plot 1130, showing a second iteration of thecomparison step, showing the video stream of interest 1104 having aninitial segment boundary 1122 (the ending segment boundary is notshown). As shown, the video stream of interest 1104 has been shiftedtoward the origin, where the comparison begins. Again, the seconditeration of the comparison step does not produce the required matchbetween the reference video stream 1102 and the video stream of interest1104.

Plot 1130 further illustrates a decreased absolute difference 1106, whencompared to the absolute difference 1106 shown in Plot 1100.Consequently, the average of difference 1108 is also decreased.Threshold 1110 is also shown, but again, the points on the absolutedifference 1106 waveform that fall below the threshold 1110 are few.Here again, the waveforms are not a “match”.

FIG. 13 illustrates plot 1140 illustrates a third iteration of thecomparison step, showing the video stream of interest 1104 having timeduration 1112 and segment boundaries at the origin and at point 1103. Asshown, the video stream of interest 1104 has been shifted toward theorigin again. Here, the comparison between the reference video stream1102 and the video stream of interest 1104 begins at the origin, and amatch has been found.

Plot 1140 further illustrates an absolute difference 1106 that meets orfalls below the threshold 1110 across the majority of plot 1140. Inaddition, the average difference 1108 plot is superimposed on thethreshold 1110 plot, showing that the average difference 1108 is nearlyequal to the threshold value across plot 1140. Thus, a “match” betweenthe reference video stream 1102 and the video stream of interest 1104has been found.

Techniques and technologies may be described herein in terms offunctional and/or logical block components, and with reference tosymbolic representations of operations, processing tasks, and functionsthat may be performed by various computing components or devices. Suchoperations, tasks, and functions are sometimes referred to as beingcomputer-executed, computerized, software-implemented, orcomputer-implemented. It should be appreciated that the various blockcomponents shown in the figures may be realized by any number ofhardware, software, and/or firmware components configured to perform thespecified functions. For example, an embodiment of a system or acomponent may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memoryelements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, look-uptables, or the like, which may carry out a variety of functions underthe control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vastnumber of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that theexemplary embodiment or embodiments described herein are not intended tolimit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claimed subjectmatter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description willprovide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map forimplementing the described embodiment or embodiments. It should beunderstood that various changes can be made in the function andarrangement of elements without departing from the scope defined by theclaims, which includes known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents atthe time of filing this patent application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for creating an announcement stream fora geographic region, comprising: receiving, at a designated computersystem, characterizing metadata for a first audio/video stream;analyzing a second audio/video stream to obtain characterizing metadatafor the second video stream; comparing, with the computer system, thecharacterizing metadata for the first video stream to the characterizingmetadata for the second video stream to generate offset data, whereinthe comparing progresses in using at least one of a time-forwarddirection and a time-reverse direction, wherein the comparing in thetime-forward direction comprises: comparing individual video framessequentially, beginning with the individual video frame of the secondvideo stream comprising timing information that is earliest in time andcompleting the comparing process with the individual video frame of thesecond video stream comprising timing information that is latest intime; and wherein the comparing in the time-reverse direction comprises:comparing individual video frames sequentially, beginning with theindividual video frame of the second video stream comprising timinginformation that is latest in time and completing the comparing processwith the individual video frame of the second video stream comprisingtiming information that is earliest in time; and calculating timinginformation corresponding to segment boundaries for the second videostream using the offset data.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thecharacterizing metadata of the first and second video streams comprisesaverage luminance values corresponding to individual video frames in thefirst and second video streams.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thecomparing of the characterizing metadata for the first video stream tothe characterizing metadata for the second video stream comprises:subtracting the average luminance values for each of the individualvideo frames of the second video stream from the average luminancevalues for each of the individual video frames of the first video streamto obtain a plurality of results; summing an absolute value of each ofthe plurality of results, for each of the individual video frames, toobtain a summed value; dividing the summed value by a total number ofindividual video frames for the second video stream to obtain a result;and when the result is lower than a threshold value, generating theoffset data by subtracting timing information for the second videostream from timing information for the first video stream.
 4. The methodof claim 3, wherein the comparing of the characterizing metadata forfirst video stream to the characterizing metadata for the second videostream further comprises: beginning the comparing at an individual videoframe of the second video stream, wherein the individual video frame ofthe second video stream comprises timing information that is earlier intime than the timing information for the individual video frame of thefirst video stream which comprises the earliest timing information forthe first video stream.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thecalculating step occurs for a plurality of segments of the second videostream.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the comparing occurs at aplurality of intervals throughout the second video stream, and whereineach of the plurality of intervals comprises an equivalent length oftime.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting thetiming information to a plurality of video services receivers.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising recording timing informationcorresponding to segment boundaries for the second video stream usingthe offset data.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the characterizingmetadata comprises audio data of the first and second video streams. 10.The method of claim 1, further comprising: calculating first timinginformation corresponding to a first segment boundary for the secondvideo stream; calculating second timing information corresponding to asecond segment boundary for the second video stream; and utilizing thefirst and second timing information to skip a segment between the firstsegment boundary and the second segment boundary during video playbackof a recorded second video stream.
 11. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: calculating first timing information corresponding to afirst segment boundary for the second video stream; calculating secondtiming information corresponding to a second segment boundary for thesecond video stream; and utilizing the first and second timinginformation to replace a segment between the first segment boundary andthe second segment boundary during video playback of a recorded secondvideo stream.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: calculatingfirst timing information corresponding to a first segment boundary forthe second video stream; calculating second timing informationcorresponding to a second segment boundary for the second video stream;and utilizing the first and second timing information to insert anoverlay between the first segment boundary and the second segmentboundary during video playback of a recorded second video stream. 13.The method of claim 1, further comprising: calculating first timinginformation corresponding to a first segment boundary for the secondvideo stream; calculating second timing information corresponding to asecond segment boundary for the second video stream; and utilizing thefirst and second timing information to designate a segment between thefirst segment boundary and the second segment boundary, wherein skippingor fast-forwarding the segment is not permitted during video playback ofa recorded second video stream.
 14. A system for processing video streamdata, comprising: a communication module, configured to receivecharacterizing metadata for a first video stream; and a processorarchitecture coupled to the communication module, wherein the processorarchitecture comprises: a video stream analysis module, configured toanalyze a second video stream to obtain characterizing metadata for thesecond video stream; and a comparison module, configured to compare thecharacterizing metadata for the first video stream to the characterizingmetadata for the second video stream to generate offset data wherein thecomparing progresses in using at least one of a time-forward directionand a time-reverse direction, wherein the comparing in the time-forwarddirection comprises: comparing individual video frames sequentially,beginning with the individual video frame of the second video streamcomprising timing information that is earliest in time and completingthe comparing process with the individual video frame of the secondvideo stream comprising timing information that is latest in time; andwherein the comparing in the time-reverse direction comprises: comparingindividual video frames sequentially, beginning with the individualvideo frame of the second video stream comprising timing informationthat is latest in time and completing the comparing process with theindividual video frame of the second video stream comprising timinginformation that is earliest in time; and wherein the video streamanalysis module is further configured to calculate timing informationcorresponding to segment boundaries for the second video stream usingthe offset data.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the characterizingmetadata of the first and second video streams comprises averageluminance values corresponding to video frames in the first and secondvideo streams.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the comparing of thecharacterizing metadata for the first video stream to the characterizingmetadata for the second video stream comprises: calculating differencevalues between the average luminance values for each of the individualvideo frames of the second video stream and the average luminance valuesfor each of the individual video frames of the first video stream;summing an absolute value of each of the difference values, for each ofthe individual video frames, to obtain a summed value; and when thesummed value is lower than a threshold value, generating the offset databy subtracting timing information for the second video stream fromtiming information for the first video stream.
 17. The system forprocessing video stream data of claim 16, wherein the video streamanalysis module is further configured to associate the first timinginformation with the average luminance values for each of the pluralityof video frames.
 18. A method for processing video stream data,comprising: receiving, at a computer system having a processor, a firstwaveform depicting data comprising average luminance values for each ofa plurality of video frames contained within a first video stream;calculating, at the computer system, average luminance values for eachof a plurality of video frames contained within a second video stream;generating a second waveform, corresponding to the second video stream,using the calculated average luminance values; obtaining offset data bycomparing the first waveform to the second waveform wherein thecomparing progresses in using at least one of a time-forward directionand a time-reverse direction, wherein the comparing in the time-forwarddirection comprises: comparing individual video frames sequentially,beginning with the individual video frame of the second video streamcomprising timing information that is earliest in time and completingthe comparing process with the individual video frame of the secondvideo stream comprising timing information that is latest in time; andwherein the comparing in the time-reverse direction comprises: comparingindividual video frames sequentially, beginning with the individualvideo frame of the second video stream comprising timing informationthat is latest in time and completing the comparing process with theindividual video frame of the second video stream comprising timinginformation that is earliest in time; and generating timing informationregarding the beginning and ending of at least one portion of the videostream using the offset data.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein thecomparing of the first waveform to the second waveform comprises:subtracting the average luminance values for each of the video frames ofthe second video stream from the average luminance values for each ofthe video frames of the first video stream to obtain a plurality ofresults; summing an absolute value of each of the plurality of results,for each of the video frames, to obtain a summed value; dividing thesummed value by a total number of individual video frames for the secondvideo stream to obtain a result; and when the result is lower than athreshold value, generating the offset data by subtracting timinginformation for the second video stream from timing information for thefirst video stream.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the comparing ofthe first waveform to the second waveform further comprises: beginningthe comparing at a video frame of the second video stream, wherein theindividual video frame of the second video stream comprises timinginformation that is earlier in time than the timing information for theindividual video frame of the first video stream which comprises theearliest timing information for the first video stream.